Welcome to Performance Care, the blog site for Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab. We'll regularly post exercise and stretching videos. Also, please feel free to post questions/comments. We'll get back to you as soon as we can. If you'd like to be added to our newsletter letting you know when new exercises are posted, visit our website listed below. *To post a comment, click on "comments" link at the bottom of the post.

Our clinic specializes in successfully treating athletic injuries, pregnancy related pain, peripheral nerve entrapments (numbness in the extremities), jaw joint problems (TMJ), and headaches. These are also great topics for questions, in additon to those on general injuries, athletic performance enhancement, and nutritional advice.

Disclaimer: one should always consult a health professional before beginning or modifying an exercise routine. The replies posted by Dr. Iodice are meant to help readers figure out a course of action and as general advice, but it is impossible to diagnose a physical problem without a proper examination.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Hamstring Stretching

The hamstrings are the muscles on the back of your thighs. They function to bend the knee and move your thigh behind you. Feeling tight in the hamstrings is a very common complaint in populations of all activity levels. Many people try to stretch their hamstrings diligently, but to no avail. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, most people stretch their low backs as much, if not more than their hamstrings during these stretches by over flexing the back. Second, most people who feel tightness in their hamstrings during activity actually have over stretched hamstrings, but have shortened hip flexors. Thus, many people actually need to stretch their hip flexors more than their hamstrings. See our archived hip flexor and quad stretches for more info.

Note, be sure to keep the back arched by sticking your butt out as you lean forward. Try stretching once how you'd usually do it, then try this tip. You'll really feel the difference.

As always, if you or someone you know could benefit from our services, new patients who mention the website or blog qualify for our referral credit of $50 towards the initial exam.